Sanitary comb



0, 1938. R. w. DAVIS 2,128,287

Filed Oct. 9, 1937 Eil.

fiveii zi Patented Aug. 30, 1938 UNITED STATES time other SANITARY COMB Roger W. Davis, Natick, Mass.

Application October 9, 1937, Serial No. 168,123

4 Claims.

My present invention relates to combs, and more particularly to improved sanitary combs.

It is a well known fact that combs can and often do carry germs from one person to the other unless great care is taken to provide against this by sterilization. The only way to positively provide against contagion is to use a new comb each time and with the cost of the conventional comb being relatively high this proceedure is impractical.

In my present invention, I have designed a very inexpensive comb which is practical and strong, and at the same time, can be manufactured in quantities for a small fraction of a cent a piece. These combs may be used once and thrown away. They may be dispensed in transparent envelopes insuring the purchaser that he or she is receiving a sanitary article which has not been handled by others since delivery from the factory.

I am aware that attempts have been made to attain the end sought, by combs made from paper. The diiliculty herein lies in the fact that strength is lacking. While the teeth of a comb should provide a certain resiliency yet the back of the comb must be as rigid as possible in both a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction. In

my present invention I have attained the desired results by using a very hard fibre and forming the back of the comb in a special manner, all of which may be accomplished in one die operation.

The principal object of my invention is an improved, so called, sanitary comb;

Another object is an improved comb stamped from sheet fibre stock having a reinforced back portion adapted to stiffen the comb horizontally 5 and vertically;

Still another object is an improved comb made from fiat stock, as fibre, which presents a. thickened back portion to the hand of the operator, and

) Other objects and novel features comprising the 5-5 of Fig. 1, the lower portion being broken away.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, W indicates a comb, in general, being formed from sheet fibre of a uniform thickness. The comb is cut out by means of dies, preferably in one operation. The teeth II which are in the lower portion of the comb are of uniform thickness and preferably are resilient to a certain degree, as in a conventional comb. The back of the comb incorporates three desirable features, as will hereinafter be explained.

It will be noted that the back portion of the comb indicated at i2 is provided with a plurality of angularly disposed ribs l3 and I4. These ribs are placed at an angle to the major axis of the comb and are alternated, the ribs l3 being on one side of the comb and ribs [4 being on the other side and in alternate relationship to each other. At the same time I have provided a central connecting web 15 between the ribs which is the original fiat stock from which the comb is formed.

These ribs l3 and M are formed from the dies preferably in the same operation which blanks and forms the teeth, sometimes referred to, as a compound die operation.

As I have already stated the ribs l3 and I4 have several functions. Due to the fact that the ribs are pitched at an angle the back portion of the comb is braced against bending, either in a horizontal or vertical direction and at the same time I make use of the ribs as a holding surface of several times the thickness of the flat stock from which the comb is made thereby making it easier to handle. The teeth I I have the same resiliency as a comb made from moulded material. The fibre is preferably of the very hard pressed type and is not affected by water due to the relatively short life of the comb.

It will thus be seen that I have designed a very cheap inexpensive comb which combines the essential characteristics of strength, either horizontally or vertically, with lightness all in one operation of manufacture.

It is to be understood that I may vary the size and proportions of my invention Within wide variations without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described claim as new is:

1. An improved sanitary comb comprising a tooth and back portion formed from fiat stock of a uniform thickness, the said back portion being provided with a plurality of diagonally disposed embossed ribs.

my invention, what I 4. An improved sanitary comb having a tooth and back portion formed from sheet material having a uniform thickness, the said back portion being provided with a plurality of embossed ribs alternately disposed on each side of said back portion, a central web portion surrounding and connecting said ribs and being in the same vertical plane as said teeth.

ROGER W. DAVIS. 

